Caribbean Vacationers Exposed to Pesticide Banned for Indoor Use

Puerto Rico’s Zimmetry Environmental provides indoor environmental quality testing services to identify pesticides and other hazardous materials.
By: Zimmetry Environmental
 
 
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Zimmetry Environmental Logo
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - April 20, 2015 - PRLog -- Recently, a family from Delaware traveled to the U.S. Virgin Islands on vacation.  Unknown to the family, the resort where the family stayed had recently been treated for pests with an agricultural pesticide that has been banned for use indoors.  Upon arriving at the resort, the family became ill and was rushed to a nearby hospital after some family members suffered seizures.  Two teenage boys remain hospitalized in a coma.

Local officials believe the property was treated with methyl bromide.  Methyl bromide is an odorless broad spectrum pesticide used for the control of insects, nematodes, weeds, pathogens and rodents.  According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Methyl bromide is a toxic material. Exposure to this chemical will affect not only the target pests it is used against, but non-target organisms as well. Because methyl bromide dissipates so rapidly to the atmosphere, it is most dangerous at the actual fumigation site itself. Human exposure to high concentrations of methyl bromide can result in central nervous system and respiratory system failure, as well as specific and severe deleterious actions on the lungs, eyes, and skin.”

Media reports indicate that the banned pesticide was likely used at other locations and even at the condominium complex where the governor lives.  “Many people don’t realize that pesticide exposure in homes and buildings can be a major health issue,” shared Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental.  “In fact, one recent study referenced by the EPA suggests that 80% of most people's exposure to pesticides occurs indoors and that measurable levels of up to a dozen pesticides have been found in the air inside homes.”

One of the leading providers of indoor pesticide testing services for the Caribbean is Puerto Rico’s Zimmetry Environmental.  Their indoor environmental professionals utilize the most advanced instrumentation and sampling techniques to identify pesticides and other materials that could cause health concerns for building occupants.

To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental’s pesticide, indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and compliance consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com.

About Zimmetry Environmental

Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies.  The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America.  The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase IESAs and general environmental consulting services.

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Source:Zimmetry Environmental
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Tags:Pesticide, Puerto Rico, Caribbean, Air Testing, Media
Industry:Health, Media
Location:San Juan - Puerto Rico - Puerto Rico
Subject:Features
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